underlying reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate the root cause of a certain situation. For example, "The underlying reason for the high cost of tuition is the school's budgeting decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If your relationship with your line manager has suffered, there may be a more personal underlying reason for the Pip.

The Guardian

This question gets uncomfortable because it forces us to get really clear about our underlying reason for doing things.

The New York Times

Experimental artifacts may also be underlying reason for the low-entropy regions in normal samples.

Plosone

Adequate responses imply the identification of the main underlying reason for the observed dual practice.

Human Resources for Health

This could represent an underlying reason for failure of IVF or ICSI.

Human Reproduction

But there is an underlying reason for the enduring allure.

The New York Times - Tech

Even the most learned of rabbinical scholars are uncertain about the underlying reason for the laws.

The New York Times

But free agency didn't change the underlying reason for salary arbitration.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe this is the underlying reason for fan anger when an athlete falls from grace.

The New York Times - Sports

The underlying reason for this heavy rain is a weather system called La Niña.

Independent

But the underlying reason for his hesitance is still there: he's not very good at them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying reason for", ensure you provide specific evidence or analysis to support your claim. Avoid vague statements without proper backing.

Common error

Avoid mistaking symptoms for the root cause. Dig deeper than the immediate explanation to uncover the true "underlying reason for" a phenomenon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying reason for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the fundamental cause or motive behind a situation, event, or action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to identify the core driver. For example, "The "underlying reason for" this heavy rain is a weather system called La Niña."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying reason for" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that serves to pinpoint the fundamental cause or motivation behind an event, situation, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys the root cause, often delving deeper than surface-level explanations. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and formal business contexts underscores its utility in scenarios demanding clarity and accuracy. While alternatives like "root cause of" or "primary motive behind" exist, "underlying reason for" maintains a versatile and widely accepted presence in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying cause of

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes causality.

root cause of

Emphasizes the fundamental origin of a problem or situation.

fundamental basis for

Highlights the essential foundation or principle supporting something.

primary motive behind

Focuses on the main motivation or incentive for an action.

basic rationale for

Focuses on the fundamental reasoning or justification.

real explanation for

Suggests a more accurate or truthful account of why something happened.

true source of

Points to the genuine origin or starting point of something.

core driver of

Indicates the central factor that propels or influences a particular outcome.

key factor in

Highlights a significant element contributing to a specific result or situation.

chief impetus for

Highlights the main driving force or stimulus.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying reason for" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying reason for" to introduce the fundamental cause of an event or situation. For example, "The "underlying reason for" the company's failure was poor management."

What are some alternatives to "underlying reason for"?

Alternatives include "root cause of", "fundamental basis for", or "primary motive behind", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "underlying reason of" or "underlying reason for"?

"Underlying reason for" is the correct and standard phrasing. "Underlying reason of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "cause" and "underlying reason for"?

"Cause" refers to any factor that produces an effect, while "underlying reason for" specifically points to the fundamental, often less obvious, cause. The "underlying reason for" may require more investigation to uncover.